zatoicchi
28.07.08, 21:30
Paul Hamm won’t be going to the Beijing Olympics, after all.
The reigning Olympic gold medalist announced Monday that he is withdrawing from the U.S. team because he is not sufficiently healthy enough to compete. Besides his broken right hand, he strained his left rotator cuff in his accelerated recovery effort.
“This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. But I have too much respect for the Olympics and my team to continue on when I know the best thing for everyone is for me to step aside,” Hamm said.
“I did everything I possibly could,” the 25-year-old added. “There just wasn’t enough time. I feel like if I had another month, I would have been able to get the job done.”
The U.S. men are scheduled to leave Wednesday, and competition begins Aug. 9.
Injured gymnast Paul Hamm not going to Beijing (http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/news?slug=ap-gym-hammout&prov=ap&type=lgns)
The reigning Olympic gold medalist announced Monday that he is withdrawing from the U.S. team because he is not sufficiently healthy enough to compete. Besides his broken right hand, he strained his left rotator cuff in his accelerated recovery effort.
“This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. But I have too much respect for the Olympics and my team to continue on when I know the best thing for everyone is for me to step aside,” Hamm said.
“I did everything I possibly could,” the 25-year-old added. “There just wasn’t enough time. I feel like if I had another month, I would have been able to get the job done.”
The U.S. men are scheduled to leave Wednesday, and competition begins Aug. 9.
Injured gymnast Paul Hamm not going to Beijing (http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/news?slug=ap-gym-hammout&prov=ap&type=lgns)